Separating end connection for slide fasteners



March 14, 1961 A. E. CARLILE SEPARATING END CONNECTION FOR SLIDE FASTENERS Filed Oct. 16. 1958 INVENTOR. 41/}?[0 1 64m ME United States Patent SEPARATIN G END CONNECTION FOR SLIDE FASTENERS Alfred E. Carlile, Meadville, Pa., assignor to Talon, Inc., a corporation of Pennsylvania- Filed Oct. 16, 1958, Scr. No. 767,670

Claims. (Cl. 24-205.11)

vide two interengaging parts usually referred to as a socket or retainer member on the end of one stringer and a pin member on the other stringer which engages with the socket or retainer member so as to provide means for complete separation of the stringers when the slider is moved into engagement with the socket or retainer member. In certain applications of slide fasteners, particularly in jackets, sweaters, coats and the like, it is oftentime desirable to open the lower portion of the garment while maintaining the upper portion thereof closed, particularly when the wearer is in a sitting position, and it .is to a separating end construction to permit such opening of the fastener that the present invention relates.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a separating end connection consisting of a socket or retainer member attached to the end of one stringer and a pin member on the other stringer with latching means normally retaining the parts in coupled relationship, whereby in manually or otherwise actuating the latching means into inoperative position, the pin and retainer may be separated to uncouple the stringers and the parts of the separating end connection independent of the slider. More, specifically, the invention relates to a separating end connection wherein the retainer or socket member thereof consists of relatively movable parts manually actuated against the action of a spring to facilitate lateral insertion and removal of the pin member with respect to the socket or retainer member.

- Accordingly, it is the general object of the present invention to provide a new and novel separating end con nection for slide fasteners having latching means arranged therewith normally retaining the stringers and parts in coupled relationship and being movable to unlatched position to permit separation of the stringers and parts independent of the slider.

It is another object of the invention to provide a separating end connection having means arranged therewith so as to assure the proper seating of the pin member in the retainer or socket member when the parts are interengaged.

Various other objects and advantages of this invention will be more apparent in the course of the following specification, and will be particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings, there is shown for the purpose of illustration, an embodiment which my invention may assume in practice.

improved separating end connection of the present invention is incorporated,

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the socket or retainer of the separating end connection in accordance with my invention, partly broken away and in section, and showing it attached to one of the stringers,

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the pin-like member showing it attached to the other stringer,

Fig. 4 is an end view of my improved separating end connection, showing the parts in their closed operative position,

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 1,

Fig. 6 is an end view of my improved separating end connection, partly broken away and in section, showing the latch-like member of the retainer in its open position and the pin-like member disengaged from the retainer, and

Fig. 7 is a slight modification of the projection and indentation arrangement of the latch-like member and pinlike member, respectively.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, there is shown in Fig. 1, a slide fastener consisting of a pairof stringer tapes 2 and 2a having a series of spaced-apart interlocking fastener elements 3 attached to the opposed beaded edges 4 and 5, respectively, of the stringer tapes. There is arranged on the fastener elements 3, a channeled slider 6 having a pull member 7 attached thereto for moving the slider longitudinally therealong for engaging and disengaging the fastener elements in a manner well known to those skilled in the art.

At the lower end of the stringer tapes 2 and 3, there is arranged a separating end connection constructed in accordance with the present invention. This separating end connection consists preferably of an elongated stud or pin member 8 attached to the beaded edge 4 of the stringer tape 2. There is provided a box-like socket or retainer member 9 having a body portion 10 which is securely clamped or otherwise aflixed to the lower end of the stud or pin member 8, and an outwardly extending wall portion 12 having a flange portion 13 arranged along the outer edge thereof which is beveled inwardly along the outer side thereof, as at 14.

There is hingedly attached to the body portion 10 centrally thereof by means of a longitudinally extending pin or pintle 15, a latch-like member 16 having an outwardly extending wall portion 17 with a flange portion 18 arranged along the outer edge thereof which is beveled inwardly along the outer side thereof, as at 19. This wall portion 17 is substantially parallel to the wall portion 12 of the retainer 9 when the latch-like member is disposed in its closed or normal position, as shown in Fig. 5, so as to provide a channel 20 therebetween which opens at one side thereof between the opposed flanges 13 and 18 and has a closed bottom or end wall, as at 32.

On the opposite side of the hinged connection 15, there is carried by the latch-like member 16, an outwardly extending finger piece 21. Between this finger piece 21 and the opposed wall of the body portion 10, there is arranged preferably a coil spring 22 which is preferably seated in a recess 23 in the side wall of the body portion. It is the purpose of this spring 22 to hold the latch-like member in its closed operating position, as shown in Figs. 1, 4 and 5 of the drawings.

There is attached to the beaded edge 5 of the other stringer 2a adjacent the endmost fastener element 3 thereof, an elongated pin-like member 24 preferably having a transversely extending indentation 25 in the side thereof intermediate the length of the same, as more clearly shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings. On the inner side of the wall portion 17 of the latch-like member 16, there is arranged a rounded projection 26 which extends into the channel 20 and co-operates with the indentation 25 'tion, it functions in the following manner.

3 when the pin-like member 24 is positioned in the channel, in a manner and for a purpose hereinafter to be described.

In Fig. 7 were is shown a slight modification of this projection and indentation arrangement. In this construction, the projection 27 is tapered on one'side, as at 28, and has a square shoulder 29 on the opposite side thereof which co-operates with the shoulder 30 of the indentation 31 in the pin-like member 15 to securely hold 'the latter in the channel so as to prevent unintentional 1, 2, 4 and 5 of the drawings. In such position, it will be seen that the projection 26 of the latch member 16 is disposed in the recess or indentation 25 in the side of 'the pin member 24. This projection 26 in co-operation with this indentation 25 acts as an indexing means so as to position and seat the pin-like member 24 in the channel 20 of the socket member 9. It will be seen that the flanges 13 and 18 prevent lateral displacement of the pin member 24 from this channel 20.

When it is desired to remove the pin-like member 24 from the channel 20 of the socket member without manipulating the slider 6, the finger piece 21 of the latch-like member 16 is moved downwardly, as shown in Fig. 6, by grasping the finger piece and body portion of the socket member between the thumb and forefinger thereby permitting the pin-like member 24 to be moved outwardly between the flanges 13 and 18 so that the pin-like member 24 is disengaged from the socket member 20 but still permits the fastener elements 3 to be engaged thereabove, as shown in the broken lines of Fig. 1. g

In certain cases, it might also be desirable to reinsert the'pin-like member 24 back into the channel 20 of the socket member 9. In such case, the pin-like member 24 is forced against the beveled surfaces 19 and 14 of the flanges 18 and 13, respectively, thereby forcing by a camming action, the latch member 16 to open against the action of the spring 22. The pin-like member 24 then passes between the flanges 18 and 13 into the channel 20. After the pin-like member 24 is fully positioned in the channel 20, the latch member 16 closes due to the action of the spring 22 and the pin-like member is housed in the channel of the retainer and prevented from unintentional displacement therefrom.

When it is desired to completely separate the fastener, the slider 6 is moved along the fastener elements 3 to its lowermost position abutting the upper side of the socket member 9. In such position, the fastener elements 3 are completely disengaged thereby permitting the pin-like member 24 of the stringer 2a to be removed from the channel 20 of the socket member 9. The stringer 2a is grasped and the pin-like member 24 is moved in a longitudinal direction out of the channel 20 and up through the channel of the slider, in a well known manner, to separate completely the two stringers of the fastener.

When it is desired to reassemble the separating end connection in its closed operating position, the pin-like member 24 is threaded through the slider channel and into the channel 20 of the socket member 9. When this pin-like member 24 is fully seated in the socket member, the projection 26 of the latch member 16 will be disposed in the indentation 25 of the pin-like member by'means of a snapping or clicking action which signifies the pin-like member is properly seated in the socket member. The slider 6 is then manipulated by the pull --m'ember'7 to-interengage the opposed fastener elements 4 3 and to close the fastener in a well known manner. If desired, the pin-like member 24 may be reinserted into the channel 20 of the socket member 9 laterally in a manner previously described.

In the modification shown in Fig. 7, it will be seen that the projection 27 is. so constructed and arranged that the pin-like member 24 is automatically locked in the channel 26. In this construction, in order to permit movement of the pin-like member out of the channel, it will be necessary to open the latch-like member 16 by means of the finger piece 21 carried thereby in the manner previously described.

As a result of my invention, it will be seen that there is provided a new and novel separating end connection so constructed and arranged as to permit quick and convenient lateral separation and assembly of the parts. It will also be seen that my improved separating end connection is relatively simple and inexpensive in its construction consisting of a minimum number of parts which can be inexpensively fabricated and assembled, and which is eflicient and effective in its use.

While I have shown and described an embodiment which my invention may assume in practice, it will be be understood that this embodiment is merely for the purpose of illustration and description, and that other forms may be devised within the scope of my invention as defined in the appended claims.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. In a separating end connection for slide fasteners having interengaging means arranged along the opposed edges of a pair of stringers, a pin-like member attached to the end of one of said stringers along the edges thereof, a box-like retainer attached to the end of the other of said stringers comprising two members hingedly connected together on an axis extending longitudinally thereof, each of said members having an outwardly extending wall portion spaced one from the other so as to provide a channel therebetween normally retaining said pin-like member against lateral displacement from said channel, a spring arranged between both members and biased to urge said members to normally closed and operative position, an inwardly extending flange arranged on the outer edge of each of said wall portions in opposed relation, means carried by at least one of said members for moving the same relative to the other so as to facilitate lateral separation of the pin-like member from the retainer and movement of the pin-like member outwardly between said opposed flanges of said wall portions, and a projection arranged on the inner side of the wall portion of at least one of the hinged members which extends into the channel and which is adapted to co-operate with an indentation in said pin-like member to position and hold said pin-like member normally in said channel.

2. In a separating end connection for slide fasteners having interengaging means arranged along the opposed edges of a pair of stringers, a pin-like member attached to the end of one of said stringers along the edges thereof, a box-like retainer attached to the end of the other of said stringers comprising two members hingedly connected together on an axis extending longitudinally thereof, each of said members having an outwardly extending wall portion spaced one from the other so as to provide a channel therebetween normally retaining said pin-like member against lateral displacement from said channel, a spring arranged between both members and biased to urge said members to normally closed and operative position, an inwardly extending flange arranged on the outer edge of each of said wall portions in opposed relation, the outer sides of the flanges of both of said wall portions being beveled so as to facilitate movement of the pin-like member laterally into said channel between the flanges of the wall portions of said hinged members, and means carried by at least one of said members for moving the same relativelto the other so asfito facilitate lateral separation of the pin-like member from the retainer and movement of the pin-like member outwardly between said opposed flanges of said wall portions 3. In a separating end connection for slide fasteners having interengaging means arranged along the opposed edges of a pair of stringers, a pin-like member attached to the end of one of said stringers along the edge thereof, a box-like retainer comprising a body portion which is attached to the end of the other of said stringers and a latch-like member, said body portion having an outwardly extending wall portion, said latch-like member being hingedly connected to said body portion centrally thereof on an axis extending longitudinally of the same, said latch-like member having a wall portion extending outwardly from one side of its hinged connection with said body portion and spaced from the wall portion of the latter so as to provide a channel therebetween for receiving said pin-like member, each of said wall portions having inwardly extending flanges arranged on the outer edges thereof, a spring member arranged between said body portion and said latch-like member for urging and maintaining the latter toward and in its closed operative position, and means carried by said latch-like member for moving the same into position to facilitate lateral separation of the pin-like member from said retainer consisting of a finger piece extending outwardly from the hinged connection of the latch-like member with said body portion on the side opposite that from the wall portion thereof with said spring arranged between said finger piece and said body portion.

4. In a separating end connection for slide fasteners having interengaging means arranged along the opposed edges of a pair of stringers, a pin-like member attached to the end of one of said stringers along the edge thereof, a box-like retainer comprising a body portion which is attached to the end of the other of said stringers and a latch-like member, said body portion having an outwardly extending wall portion, said latch-like member being hingedly connected to said body portion centrally thereof on an axis extending longitudinally of the same, said latchlike member having a wall portion extending outwardly from one side of its hinged connection with said body portion and spaced from the wall portion of the latter so as to provide a channel therebetwcen for receiving said pin-like member, each of said wall portions having inwardly extending flanges arranged on the outer edges thereof, a projection arranged on the inner side of the Wall portion of said latch-like member which extends into said channel and which co-operates with an indentation in the side of said pin-like member to position and hold the latter in said channel, a spring member arranged between said body portion and said latch-like member for urging and maintaining the latter toward and in its closed operative position, and means carried by said latch-like member for moving the same into position to facilitate lateral separation of the pin-like member from said retainer.

5. In a separating end connection for slide fasteners having interengaging means arranged along the opposed edges of a pair of stringers, a pin-like member attached to the end of one of said stringers along the edge thereof, a box-like retainer comprising a body portion which is attached to the end of the other of said stringers and a latch-like member, said body portion having an outwardly extending wall portion, said latch-like member being hingedly connected to said body portion centrally thereof on an axis extending longitudinally of the same, said latch-like member having a wall portion extending outwardly from one side of its hinged connection with said body portion and spaced from the wall portion of the latter so as to provide a channel therebetween for recieving said pin-like member, each of said wall portions having inwardly extending flanges arranged on the outer edges thereof, the outer sides of the flanges of both of said wall portions are beveled so as to facilitate movement of the pin-like member laterally in said channel between the flanges of the wall portions of said members, a spring member arranged between said body portion and said latch-like member for urging and maintaining the latter toward and in its closed operative position, and means carried by said latch-like member for moving the same into position to facilitate lateral separation of the pin-like member from said retainer.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,395,677 Marinsky Feb. 26, 1946 2,784,474 Morin Mar. 12, 1957 FOREIGN PATENTS 364,280 Italy Oct. 27, 1938 420,868 Great Britain Dec. 10, 1934 550,270 Great Britain Dec. 31, 1942 

